Beef Tenderloin Saltimbocca

An elegant, yet simple recipe, perfect for date night in, or special dinner guests

Beef Tenderloin Saltimbocca

Several years ago a winery client sent me several bottles of their latest vintage to sample for recipe pairing. This particular California cabernet sauvignon, rich in flavor and velvet on the palate, inspired me to create this lovely Beef Tenderloin Saltimbocca.

Saltimbocca is traditionally prepared with pork or chicken, but the ingredients also make a delicious meal with beef tenderloin. This recipe is perfect for a date night in, or a small dinner party. The recipe serves 3-4 and can be doubled.

Beef Tenderloin Saltimbocca

Ingredients

• 2lbs beef tenderloin, cut into 8-10 medallions 

• 1 bunch fresh sage leaves 

• 8-10 slices pancetta 

• 2 tablespoons ghee or extra virgin olive oil 

• 1 cup red wine (any wine that you would drink) 

• 6 tablespoons butter 

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 

• Chopped fresh Italian parsley for garnish 

• Toothpicks 

Instructions

1.     On parchment paper or a cutting board, pound out each medallion to about ½ inch thick. Season each medallion with salt and pepper on both sides. 

2.    Place a sage leaf on each medallion and then layer with a slice of pancetta. You can use a toothpick to secure the sage and pancetta to the beef or you can try placing them in the pan completely assembled. 

3.    In a large skillet, add the two tablespoons of ghee or olive oil and heat over medium high heat. Once the ghee/oil is hot but not smoking, add the medallions to the pan, pancetta side down. You may need to pan sear in batches so that you don’t over crowd your skillet. 

4.    Cook each medallion for about 2 minutes on each side or until the beef is done to your liking. Transfer the beef to a platter when done. Cover lightly with a piece of foil to keep warm. 

5.    When all the beef has been cooked, turn the heat down to medium and add the red wine, scraping all the fond (brown bits) off the bottom of the pan. Whisk in the butter one tablespoon at a time and bring the sauce to a lively simmer. Let the sauce simmer until it’s been reduced by half. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

6.    Place the pan sauce on the bottom of a serving dish and then place the Beef Tenderloin Saltimbocca over the pan sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh Italian parsley and serve with Roasted fingerling potatoes or mashed potatoes and roasted or steamed seasonal vegetable.